VAMOS Traditional Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Valley Alliance of Mentors for Opportunities and Scholarships
Overview
This scholarship supports graduating high school seniors from the Rio Grande Valley who will begin full-time study at a four-year college or university in Fall 2026. Awards are renewable for up to four undergraduate years (or until degree completion) and individual recipients may be awarded up to $20,000.
Who is eligible
- Current high school senior graduating from a school located in Hidalgo, Starr, or Cameron County.
- Eligible for a Federal Pell Grant.
- Intend to enroll full-time at an accredited public or private four-year institution in the Fall 2026 semester.
- Academic minimum: at least an 80 on a 100-point scale, a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, or placement within the top 30% of the graduating class.
Required application materials
- Completed scholarship application form.
- Official high school transcript showing GPA, class rank, and class size.
- Student resume.
- Official ACT or SAT test scores.
- Parent/guardian income tax return — include the return submitted with the FAFSA (please redact Social Security numbers).
- Financial Aid Summary Report and Student Aid Index (SAI).
- College financial aid award letter.
- Official admission offer letter from the college or university you plan to attend.
- Two letters of recommendation from school professionals (teachers, counselors, principals, or similar staff).
Essay requirement
Submit a single essay of approximately 600 words addressing the following:
- A personal statement about yourself.
- Your academic and career objectives.
- Why earning a college degree matters to you.
- Any significant challenges or extraordinary circumstances you have faced that motivated your pursuit of higher education.
- A concluding statement.
Renewal and award amount
Selected recipients may receive awards up to $20,000. The scholarship can be renewed annually for up to four years of undergraduate study or until the student graduates, whichever occurs first.